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The 12 Largest Schools in Phoenix Are Massive

Tree and the edge of the Grand Canyon cliff, Arizona

The 12 Largest Schools in Phoenix Are Massive

From beautiful deserts to warm weather, there are many benefits to raising a family in Phoenix, Arizona. Out of all the cities in Arizona, the state capital of Phoenix is the largest with a population of 1.6 million people. Within the city limits, there are over 300 public schools and 30 school districts. Some of the largest schools in Phoenix have over 2,000 students.

Whether you’re looking for a school in Phoenix or you’re just curious about what this city has to offer, keep reading to find out about some of the largest schools in the area.

At schools like Trevor Browne High School, students have numerous opportunities for learning and preparing for the future.

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Trevor Browne High School

7402 W Catalina Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85033

Trevor Browne High School is a public high school in Phoenix with 2,962 students. Founded in 1972, this school is named after Dr. Trevor Goff Browne, who donated land for the school to be built on. Dr. Browne was a professor at Harvard Medical School before he moved to Phoenix in 1931.

At Trevor Browne High School, students can participate in a CTE program to further their education and prepare for their future careers. There is also a Freshman House Program to provide extra support for 9th-grade students throughout their first year of high school. Students at Trevor Browne High School can also become a part of the school community through numerous athletic teams and extracurricular activities.

Notable Trevor Browne Alumni

Trevor Browne High has several notable alumni, including:

  • CeCe Peniston, singer and beauty queen
  • John Patterson, former second baseman for the San Francisco Giants
  • Marcel Jones, former offensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints
  • Steve Gallardo, member of the Arizona State Senate
  • Brandon Kellum, vocalist of the band American Standards

Desert Vista High School

16440 S 32nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85048

Desert Vista High School is a public school serving 2,779 students in Phoenix. The mission of this high school is to inspire a community of learning through academic excellence. They also focus on excellence in the arts and extracurricular activities.

Desert Vista High School is rated by the Arizona Department of Education as an A school and has provided students with academic programs since 1995. Student activities are also an important part of the community at Desert Vista High School. They offer over 75 different clubs for students to join and their athletic teams have won 46 state championships.

Notable Desert Vista High Alumni

Desert Vista High School has a number of notable alumni that once called this school home, including:

  • Zach Miller, former tight end who played with the Seattle Seahawks
  • Kristine Anigwe, player for the Connecticut Sun
  • Brandon Clarke, player for the Memphis Grizzlies
  • Kimiko Glenn, actress
  • Rio Gomez, pitcher for the Boston Red Sox
  • Jessica Nigri, model and voice actress
  • Bobby Wade, former wide receiver for the Chicago Bears
  • Mark Kastelic, player for the Ottawa Senators

Maryvale High School

3415 N 59th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85033

Maryvale High School in Phoenix is a public school with 2,742 students. As part of the Phoenix Union High School District, this school offers numerous opportunities for students to learn, grow, and succeed. Their academic departments include JROTC, Business CTE, and World Languages.

Maryvale High School also has a wide range of clubs and student activities for students to join including Band, Chess Club, and Academic Decathlon. The school also has a student newspaper called the Pawprint that Maryvale students can contribute to.

Notable Maryvale High Alumni

As one of Phoenix's largest high schools, Maryvale High has a number of notable alumni, including:

  • Angel Cejudo, U.S. Olympic wrestler
  • Henry Cejudo, current flyweight champion of the UFC
  • Frank Garcia, former player for the Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, and St. Louis Rams
  • Darren Woodson, former safety for the Dallas Cowboys
  • Robert James, former linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons
  • Rob Babcock, assistant general manager of the Minnesota Timberwolves
  • John Moraga, professional flyweight competitor in the UFC
  • Frankie Saenz, professional bantamweight competitor in the UFC

Cesar Chavez High School

3921 W Baseline Rd, Laveen Village, AZ 85339

Cesar Chavez High School is another public school in Phoenix within the Phoenix Union High School District. This school serves 2,667 students in grades 9-12. Cesar Chavez High School was founded in 1999 and named after the humanitarian and social activist.

Cesar Chavez High School is home to one of the largest Advanced Placement Programs in the school district. Additionally, they offer a Performing Arts Program, a CTE program, and a Freshman House for 9th-grade students.

The students at Pinnacle High School are encouraged to engage with others and become an active part of the school community.

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Pinnacle High School

3535 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85050

Pinnacle High School is a public school with a student population of 2,572 students. As part of the Paradise Valley Unified School District, Pinnacle High School aims to fulfill the educational needs of the community.

The mission of Pinnacle High School is to create a community environment focused on academic rigor and relationships. The staff inspires and educates students through high-quality instruction and curriculum. Pinnacle High School also has a High Functioning Autism Program with a curriculum that focuses on communication, socialization, and sensory integration.

Sandra Day O’Connor High School

25250 N 35th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85083

Sandra Day O’Connor High School is a public school in the Deer Valley Unified School District that has 2,484 students. The mission of this high school is to empower students in grades 9-12 to learn, lead, and contribute.

At Sandra Day O’Connor High School, the teachers help students to meet and exceed academic standards. The learning model includes the alignment of curriculum, instruction, and assessments to help students reach their greatest potential. They also encourage all students to get involved in a club, athletic team, or other extracurricular activity to improve their communication skills and connect with other students.

North High School

1101 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85014

North High School is a public school in Phoenix with 2,399 students. The mission of North High School is to empower all students to become successful global citizens. They achieve this through their core values of respect, positive involvement, and accountability for achievement.

Students at  North High School can join a number of academic programs such as AVID, CTE, or Culinary Arts & Early Childhood Education. Involvement in clubs and activities is also an important part of being a student at North High School. They offer numerous clubs such as Ceramics Club, Robotics Club, Gardening Club, and Short Film Club. 

Alhambra High School

3839 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85019

Alhambra High School is a public school serving 2,364 students in grades 9-12. As part of the Phoenix Union High School District, Alhambra High is a minority-majority school. Their academic program includes departments such as AVID, Business, JROTC, and Medical Arts Magnet.

Students at Alhambra High School can choose from a variety of athletic teams such as baseball, basketball, soccer, and wrestling. Several of the athletic teams have won state championships over the years and students at Alhambra are encouraged to be a part of the athletics community.

Sunnyslope High School

35 W Dunlap Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85021

Sunnyslope High School in Phoenix serves 2,233 high school students. This public school offers a nationally and internally recognized academic program, championship athletic teams, and an award-winning fine & performing arts program.

Additionally, the academic program at Sunnyslope High School includes STEM education and a CTE program to prepare students for a technical career. Founded in 1953, Sunnyslope has been ranked as one of the top high schools by the U.S. News and World Report. About 80% of students at the school are involved in sports or other extracurricular activities.

Carl Hayden High School

3333 W Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ 85009

Carl Hayden High School is a public school in Phoenix with 2,222 high school students. The goal of Carl Hayden High is to prepare all students to become lifelong learners and meet any challenges in a technical society. 

This public high school has one of the oldest and largest magnet programs in the state. Their academic program also includes Honors classes, AP courses, and dual enrollment. Students are encouraged to enroll in one of the many clubs or activities, such as Robotics, wrestling, or JROTC.

South Mountain High School

5401 S 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85040

South Mountain High School is a public school with a student population of 2,211 students. Students at this high school can choose from several different academies to prepare for college and their future careers. The academies are Media, Arts, & Design Pathways, Public & Social Services Pathways, and Science, Technology, & Aerospace Pathways.

At South Mountain High School, students can also enroll in numerous honors and advanced placement classes to further their education. Students are encouraged to focus on both academic achievement and being a part of the school community. There are many athletic teams as well as clubs for students to choose from.

Camelback High School

4612 N 28th St, Phoenix, AZ 85016

Camelback High School is a public high school with 2,196 students. Their goal is to provide students with a quality education experience in a safe and friendly environment. Their mission is also to educate, engage, and empower students to become responsible and productive future citizens.

The staff at Camelback High School believes in holding students accountable and pushing them to reach their full potential. They offer numerous Advanced Placement classes, performing arts electives, as well as a Montessori program to help students succeed. 

Choosing the Right School in Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, Arizona is a beautiful and unique place. As the fifth largest city in the country, there are plenty of things to do in the city and numerous job opportunities for those planning on moving to the area. Aside from the breathtaking views and warm weather, Phoenix is also home to over 300 schools. Within many of the largest schools in Phoenix, there are many student activities, clubs, sports, and other extracurriculars. If you’re looking for a school in the area, consider one of these schools in Phoenix.

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